6A
FEATURES
The blackest of sheep
Dear Annie: My sister the funerals? I hate to make
and I have a lying, cheating a scene when the funerals
brother who has bankrupted should be about our mom and
our elderly parents through dad. — Heartbroken
his recklessness and greed.
Dear Heartbroken: If
He coerced them to sign over you haven’t already spoken to
everything to him for
a lawyer, contact one
DEAR
loans and personal
today to see whether
you have any means
guarantees for his
ANNIE
business, which went
of recourse to pro-
tect your parents and
bankrupt. He does not
help with their care or
salvage some of their
managing their finan-
finances and assets
from your brother.
cial problems, which
As for allow-
he created. Our dad
ing your brother to
now has sky-high
Lane
speak at their funer-
legal bills to manage Annie
Creators
Syndicate
Inc.
als: Unless your par-
losing their home and
ents explicitly say
farm. My brother also
that they don’t want him to,
took all their savings.
Though our parents are let him say his piece. What
still alive, I know that soon matters most is what your
we will be facing both of their mom and dad want, and I
funerals, and I can’t stand don’t think they’d want to
the idea of planning funerals see their children fighting
with this brother or even see- at their funerals. Remember
ing him there. I can’t imagine that whatever your brother
my siblings and me sitting in has done, they’ve still always
church with him and all of loved him as their little boy.
us taking turns telling about Honor that by setting aside
our parents’ lives when our your (legitimate) issues with
brother ruined them. Could your brother, if just for two
my siblings and I walk out days.
Dear Annie: I am an
if he demanded to speak at
87-year-old widow with a
common problem: estate
issues. I have four children,
two of whom are in moder-
ate circumstances and two
of whom are very wealthy.
Many years ago, your pre-
decessor said to divide the
estate evenly regardless of
the adult children’s circum-
stances. I do not agree. I plan
to leave everything to the two
who are in moderate circum-
stances. I don’t plan on hav-
ing it be a surprise; I will tell
all four of them very soon.
What is your take on this? I
know it can divide siblings.
But I do not foresee prob-
lems. If I live 10 more years,
they will all be about 70
when they inherit the money.
— Future Benefactor in
North Carolina
Dear Future Benefactor:
Of course, it is ultimately
your estate, and you’re wel-
come to do with it what-
ever you’d like. But I have
to side with Ann Landers on
this issue as a general rule:
Divide the estate evenly to
avoid dividing your children
from one another.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Suffering, the
impermanence of life, the absence of self ...
what a buzzkill! But these concepts are un-
avoidable in the process of spiritual evolution.
To mature as a spiritual being is to accept
existential pain.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There is little
to be done to enhance or detract from good
chemistry. It’s a matter of natural fit, and it’s
largely out of your control. If it’s good, count
your blessings. If it’s not, don’t worry about it
or take it personally.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The good old
days weren’t all that good, and the ideal future
won’t be either. But living a little while back
there or up ahead can be mighty helpful in
the construction of a present you can really
appreciate.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). People who are
always busy are either bad at time manage-
ment or afraid of what will come up if they
relax. Dare to surrender to idleness. Let it
squeeze you. Ultimately, the best ideas come
of this embrace.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). On this very social
day, have a few conversational topics in your
pocket before you go out. Or at least get clear
on the subjects to avoid at all costs, includ-
ing past relationships, politics, finance and
religion.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You want one
thing and you need another. You know a lot
about the former and very little about the lat-
ter. When a need is filled that you didn’t even
know you had ... that’s magic.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Don’t waste time
wondering whether you are the right person
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
for the job. You are. How do you know? Be-
cause you’re in the position. Do your best and
it will be more than good enough.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re like the
lightning in the storm: a powerful force at the
center of the action. Be careful about where
you strike because your energy will change
things.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Sometimes
reciprocity comes around too slowly for your
taste. That’s why you appreciate the unfolding
of this day so much. The fast boomerang of
karma will delight you.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Arguing isn’t
impressive. It doesn’t take any special under-
standing to argue a point. Listening between
the lines and understanding what’s really
going on is wisdom rare and true.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There are times
to think carefully about every choice, but today
you’re better off using the bowling method. Aim
forward; let go; and see what kind of points
you can score.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Abstract goals
lead to abstract results. That can be beauti-
ful — like abstract art — though many people
won’t understand the appeal.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (JULY 28). Your
full attention is the magic ingredient for suc-
cess. You’ll apply your heart, mind and soul to
the small acts, and great things will come of
that this year. Next month, what’s right won’t
be easy, and what’s easy won’t be right, but
you’ll do right and win. There’s a windfall in
December. June features exotic locations.
Cancer and Virgo adore you. Your lucky num-
bers are: 9, 39, 22, 28 and 16.